They influenced the face of alternative music with their first EP, and now over a decade later they're back with a debut album. Tom Armstrong speaks to Gramme.
The history of popular music is littered with bands whose influence stretches far wider than their own recognition. Up until now Gramme have been one of those bands.
Their debut EP released in 1999 was a myriad of deep, low end basslines aimed squarely at the dancefloor combined with lo-fi punk sensibilities. Comparisons were made to New York's ESG and 99 Records, and to PiL or A Certain Ratio from the UK's post-punk years. The record went on to become hugely influential, inspiring the likes of DFA Records' James Murphy, Hot Chip and countless others whose bouncing punk-funk blurred the lines between rock and dance music throughout the 00s.
It seemed unfair that history might possibly forget such an important record from a band whose influence would form the foundations of an entire musical subgenre. After a decade away however, Gramme have finally released their debut album. I spoke to bassist Luke ahead of their album release show at the Queen of Hoxton next week.
I suppose the obvious thing to start with is to ask where you've been for the last decade...
(Laughs) Yeah it was a bit of a slip-up, that. I suppose we disbanded in 2001, the last thing we did together was a feature for Dazed and Confused, and I think that was the day we were told we were leaving the label. I think everyone was quite disappointed, I know there were ideas about us carrying on but it just didn't seem like the right thing to do, it seemed like the natural time for a break.
Then about three years ago, we'd heard that Hot Chip had been really inspired by us, and I remember meeting up with Leo at a party and we talked about "wouldn't it be great to get back together" but I don't know how serious it was. Then we started to realise people really were inspired by the band, and we had a lot of good will coming in from people like James Murphy.
So how was the final decision made?
We met in a pub in Sydenham, South London, and agreed that we'd get back together as long as we just did it for the music and nobody had any aspirations to be successful or anything (laughs). We signed a pact together over a couple of pints, and that was it, the band was reborn!
How easy was it to get back into the swing of recording?
I think we foolishly thought it'd be quite easy, but all the old problems that we'd had back in the day came back to haunt us.
What kind of problems?
How to finish tracks, or exactly which direction to go in. There are lots of different ways we could go musically, and we go in so many directions when we jam, that in the end it took about three years because we scrapped the record so many times, I think about three times.
Are you nervous about performing together again?
Well it's not the first time we've performed together over the last few years, but we do have long gaps in between. No, I think that's the one thing we do well, it all seems to click. I think the reason our tracks are predominantly groove based is that it gives us space to play with the dynamics live. But then we've got a big Paris show next week to about 2,500 people, and we are shitting ourselves (laughs).
What are your favourite gigs to play?
I think our favourite gigs are where the stage is at the same level as the audience. When the stage is elevated you sort of, get a sense of importance, and that doesn't really suit the band. As a dance band we wanna be where the dancers are, we want to have an effect on people.
Gramme - Fascination is out now
The album launch show takes place on 26th Feb at the Queen of Hoxton
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